Structural Bonding

52
Gasketing & Sealing
Gaskets are used to prevent fluid or gas leaks by forming impervious barriers. For
successful gasketing, the seal must remain intact and leak-free over a prolonged
period of time. Therefore, the gasket must resist the fluid and / or gaseous
medium being sealed or excluded, and withstand the operating temperatures and
pressures to which it is subjected.
There are three types of flange gaskets.
1. Conventional pre-cut compression gaskets are made
from paper, rubber, cork, metal or other materials.
2. Formed-in-Place (FIP) gaskets are applied as a liquid
sealant to one of the flange surfaces before the
parts are assembled. After assembly, the FIP gasket
spreads and cures between the flanges, filling gaps,
scratches, and surface irregularities to provide a
durable seal.
3. Cured-in-Place (CIP) gaskets are applied as liquids by
tracing machines that dispense the gasket material
in precise beads to one of the flanges. The material
is cured by ultraviolet (UV) light to form an
elastomeric material with adhesion to the flange
surface. Sealing is achieved through compression
of the cured gasket during flange assembly.
What is the best gasket for my application?
Many factors influence gasket choice. The following
chart is intended to serve as a general guideline to help
you determine which gasket type is best suited for your
application. The data presented herein reflects typical
properties for each gasket type; however, there may be
exceptions to the data presented. Individual product
information can then be found on the following pages
and will help you narrow your search.
This chart should not be used to specify products without
specific testing. It is recommended that you conduct on-part
testing to ensure product performance before specifying any
gasketing product.
Loctite® Adhesives and Sealants Product Specialists are available to
assist you with new product designs, or to help you re- engineer an
existing application for improved performance and cost savings.
They can also set up testing of your parts at the Henkel Customer
Engineering Center. For application assistance, call 1-800-LOCTITE
(562- 8483) or visit www.loctite.com and select “Contact Loctite.” In
Canada, please call 1-800-263-5043.